curragh 23rd May

< Mastercraftsman gave Aidan O'Brien another Classic success with a remorseless display of galloping in the Boylesports.com Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.

The Danehill Dancer colt was a dual Group One winner as a juvenile but could only finish fifth in the English Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month.

Sent off the 6-4 favourite to atone in much more testing conditions, Johnny Murtagh sent his mount to the front passing the two-furlong marker and his rivals could not peg him back as he powered clear to secure a four-and-a-half-length success from Rayeni

O'Brien said: "The first week of May was the first time they started to show something and after Newmarket I wasn't surprised by the improvement he showed.

"This horse has serious class and a great cruising speed. He was ridden with confidence and we had no worries going to the front - he's versatile.

"It's most likely his next run will be the St James's Palace Stakes at Ascot."

Richard Fahey's Utmost Respect followed up his recent York win with a hard-fought victory in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes.

Sent off the evens favourite after his Duke Of York Stakes success, Declan McDonogh's switch to the rail helped the British raider grind out a two-and-a-half-length verdict over pacesetting Jumbajukiba

Fahey said: "I have never known a sprinter handle ground so soft and I was worried as he had a hard race at York just 10 days ago.

"I think he is a better horse this year though, and we always thought he would get better with age."< Emily Blake (4-1) supplemented her Athasi Stakes success with a game victory in the TRI Equestrian Stakes.

John Hayden's charge felt the benefit of a perfectly-judged front-running ride from Johnny Murtagh to hold the late charge of Beach Bunny by half a length.

Hayden said: "There isn't much she has do to now, but she is entered in two races in Leopardstown."< Wrong Answer (7-1) proved the solution to the Listed TP Waters EBF Marble Hill Stakes, scoring by two lengths for jockey Chris Hayes and trainer Kevin Pren